CJP's Dipke, Das, Ranka released on condition of maintaining peace for a year

The three CJP leaders were detained by Delhi Police on Saturday ahead of their planned protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. After remaining in detention overnight, they were produced before a court on Sunday morning and subsequently released.

In Short

• Three CJP leaders are released a day after their detention
• On Sunday, they were produced before an Additional City Magistrate court
• The three leaders were detained under Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released from preventive detention on Sunday by an Executive Magistrate court in Delhi, subject to the condition that they do not breach the peace for one year.

A surety bond of Rs 50,000 was furnished for maintaining peace and good behaviour during this period. However, it is not yet known whether they will be able to participate in peaceful protests.

The three leaders were detained by Delhi Police from inside an Air India aircraft shortly after it landed in Delhi on Saturday, ahead of their planned protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They were later produced before the Additional City Magistrate (ACM) court in Delhi Cantonment. The three were taken into preventive custody under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) on Saturday.

The CJP is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 pm on Sunday, where it might announce its future course of action.

Following their release, CJP's official X handle wrote on X, "Finally, Delhi Police is forced to release Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. Cockroaches never die."

Earlier, Ratna Singh, the head of the CJP's legal team, said in a post on X that a Delhi Police official had informed her about the scheduled production of the three leaders before the magistrate. She added that she would be present at Delhi Cantt Police Station along with other lawyers representing the party.

“Abhijeet, Ashutosh and Saurav will be produced before the Executive Magistrate at Delhi Cantt Police Station at 9 AM today,” Singh wrote.

“As CJP’s Legal Head, I will be at the police station along with other advocates representing us,” she added.

Meanwhile, YouTuber-influencer Dhruv Rathee, who was detained from his home in Gurugram right before the protest, was released at around 3 am on Sunday.

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WHAT IS PREVENTIVE DETENTION, AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Preventive detention is intended to stop a person from committing a potential offence or disturbing public order. Under the legal procedure governing preventive action, police may detain a person to prevent a breach of peace, subject to statutory safeguards and the applicable legal provisions.

The three CJP leaders were produced before a Special Executive Magistrate as part of the procedure following their detention. Section 126 of the BNSS provides for requiring a person to execute a bond to maintain peace, while Section 170 empowers police officers to make preventive arrests to stop a cognizable offence before it occurs.

Under the law, when police arrest a person without a warrant, the person generally cannot be kept in custody for more than 24 hours without the appropriate judicial authorisation, subject to the applicable statutory provisions. The requirement to produce a person before a magistrate is an important safeguard against prolonged detention.

The legal provisions need to be distinguished carefully. Sections 107 and 151 of the erstwhile CrPC dealt with security for keeping the peace and preventive police action, respectively. Under the current criminal procedure framework, corresponding provisions include Sections 126 and 170 of the BNSS.

Section 170 of the BNSS allows preventive arrest where a police officer knows of a design to commit a cognisable offence and believes it cannot otherwise be prevented; detention under that provision is subject to a maximum of 24 hours unless further detention is authorised under another provision of the law.

CJP CALLS FRESH MARCH TO JANTAR MANTAR

After the detention of its top leaders, the CJP has called for another mobilisation at Jantar Mantar at 10 am on Sunday. The outfit has vowed to continue its agitation against Kumar, citing concerns over alleged manipulation of voter lists.

The fresh call follows Saturday's extensive security arrangements across the national capital, as Delhi Police moved to prevent the planned demonstration from taking place. Police had denied permission for the protest, citing security and law-and-order concerns.

OVER 3,000 DETAINED ON SATURDAY

Delhi Police detained more than 3,000 people across the capital on Saturday as authorities mounted an extensive security operation to prevent the protest.

More than 20,000 police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed across Delhi, including around 6,500 personnel in the sensitive area around Jantar Mantar. Barricades, checkpoints and detention centres were set up at multiple locations, while surveillance was intensified.

Around 150 people who gathered at Connaught Place were detained. Police also took more than 600 people with criminal antecedents into custody as a preventive measure, according to India Today's earlier report.

The security arrangements disrupted public transport and movement across the capital. Several Metro stations were shut, train services were cancelled, and mobile internet services were suspended within a four-kilometre radius of the Janpath-Kartavya Path area. Restrictions and checks were also imposed at the Delhi-Noida border.

Metro entry and exit gates were reopened later on Saturday night, with interchange facilities restored at the affected stations.

- Ends